English Language Learner Case Study: Breakthrough Moment in a Fourth Grade Classroom

A photograph captured a transformative moment in a fourth-grade classroom where SEAL Program Coordinator Jennifer Clinkscales was leading a demo lesson. The day began with Jennifer’s warm and welcoming approach, as she invited each student to introduce themselves. When she reached one particular student—a newcomer, likely an English Learner—her classmates interjected: “Oh, she’s not going to answer. She doesn’t talk in class, so you can just ignore her.”

Instead of moving on, Jennifer approached the student with a warm smile, her inviting body language signaling acceptance. She gently asked for the student’s name, and though the girl whispered her response, Jennifer acknowledged this small victory, recognizing a need to reshape the classroom’s dynamics where the student had been inadvertently isolated.

Encouraging Engagement with English Language Learner Strategies

Determined to create more opportunities for connection, Jennifer introduced interactive activities designed to help students feel comfortable and included. She implemented a “draw and label” activity, followed by a think-pair-share exercise, asking students to discuss their preferred modes of transportation with a partner. This structured approach allowed the quiet student to ease into engagement one-on-one, offering a safe, low-pressure environment to begin building her confidence.

As the lesson progressed, Jennifer noticed a dramatic change: the once-silent girl was now actively participating in discussions and even speaking first with her partner. This shift illustrated the power of SEAL’s strategies, where intimate and structured interaction fosters comfort and a willingness to engage. Discreetly, Jennifer moved closer, smiling in encouragement as the student shared, before moving on to affirm the contributions of other students.

Building Connections in Small Group Breakdowns 

Having seen the student comfortably engage one-on-one, Jennifer decided to give her a chance to share in front of the entire class. Bringing the group back together, she prompted them to discuss their ideas. To the surprise of her classmates and teacher alike, the previously shy English learner raised her hand first. A visible gasp rippled through the room as her classmates recognized this breakthrough.

Her voice, despite a heavy accent, rang out clearly, filled with newfound confidence. Jennifer learned this was the student’s first time speaking in class all year, marking a pivotal shift in both her sense of self and her classmates’ perception of her. While there would be more steps ahead in building her comfort, this breakthrough was the beginning of a new chapter in her classroom experience.

Empowering Student Voices with the SEAL Approach

Jennifer Clinkscales’s demo lesson exemplified SEAL’s commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming classroom environments. By prioritizing connection and engagement, she fostered not only a transformative experience for one student but also cultivated a lasting sense of community among the entire class. Through the power of an intentional strategy, Jennifer helped give voice to a student who needed just a bit of encouragement, forever changing how that classroom would see and include one another.

“I saw that class later that school year… That student came up and gave me a hug, and started telling me what they were reading, doing a narrative input, and telling me about the story.”
—Jennifer Clinkscales, SEAL Program Coordinator

SEAL’s Holistic Approach to Transforming Education for Multilingual Learners

At SEAL, our evidence-based approach empowers multilingual learners by centering language and culture at all levels of education. Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching is at the core of our work, creating pathways to more inclusive, rigorous, and engaging classrooms. Our approach supports lifelong benefits for our students, blending academic rigor with an appreciation of students' cultural identities and family languages.

Our mission is simple yet impactful: to prepare all English Learners and Dual Language Learners in California to learn, thrive, and lead. Guided by our core values, we nurture the intellectual and linguistic brilliance of young children, honor family culture as a vital part of education, and support teachers with professional development rooted in evidence-based instructional practices. We partner with preschools, elementary schools, districts, and educational stakeholders across California, fostering environments where culturally and linguistically diverse children can excel.

Through our educator practice, experiential research, and policy and advocacy efforts, SEAL drives impactful change across California’s educational landscape. We work closely with district leaders, teachers, and policymakers, advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of multilingual learners.

To learn more about our work and our efforts to develop more inclusive, empathetic, and effective education programs, you can see our approach, resources, case studies, or contact us for more info.